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May 5, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina used a two-run home run by Dan Woodley and a dominating performance by relief pitcher Ryan Basner to take a 6-2 victory in game one of a Sunday doubleheader versus Virginia Military Institute. In game two - a scheduled seven-inning contest - VMI pinch-hitter Matt Cage hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh and the Keydets scored three in the ninth to notch a 7-4 win at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.
With the Sunday split, Western Carolina is 29-17 overall, 18-9 SoCon and sit one game out of first place in the league. VMI's record now stands at 10-35, 1-21 SoCon.
In game one, VMI jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI double by Justin Briggs in the top of the second. The Keydets had three hits in the inning, but Western threw out two runners at the plate to keep the game close.
Western made the score 2-1 in the fifth. Woodley started the frame with a bunt single, but ended up on third after a throwing error. Todd Roper followed with an RBI ground out to plate Woodley. With two outs, Ryan Schade doubled and scored on a single by Alan Beck.
VMI tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth as Elliott Erbe tripled with two outs and scored on a Jason Annis double. Western regained the advantage in the bottom half. A Schade walk and a Todd Buchanan single set the stage for Minero's RBI single to left.
From that point, Basner, a junior right-hander, took over for the Catamounts to earn his first save of the season. He struck out six of the first seven batters he faced. In the ninth, Basner he gave up and single and a fielder's choice then fanned the next two batters to end the game. Although pitching just three innings, Basner tied a career-high with eight strike outs. WCU senior starter Dan Foley was credited with the win, improving to 3-2 on the season. He allowed seven hits, two runs and one walk with two strike outs in six innings.
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Minero (3-for-4), Woodley (2-for-4) and Roper (2-for-4) led the way for the Cats offensively. For the Keydets, Annis collected two doubles in going 3-for-4, while Phil Hendrix was 2-for-3. VMI starter Duke Acors (2-9) was the tough-luck loser. Although he gave up nine hit and four runs, only one run was earned in his 6.2 innings.
In game two, the tables were turned as Western took the early lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Schade had a bunt single and ended up on third after a throwing error. Beck drove in Schade with a ground ball to second. After a Buchanan double, Minero followed with a RBI double of his own. The Cats expanded their lead to 3-0 on Minero's solo home run to right. The blast was the 15th of the year for Minero, which leads the SoCon. Minero, who is in his second season at WCU after transferring from San Jose State, additionally moves to a tie for 10th on the WCU career home run list with 32.
VMI cut its deficit to 3-1 in the fourth. Erbe, who reached on an error, scored after an Annis double and a ground out by Chris Brooks. Western regained a three-run lead, scoring a single run in the bottom of the fifth. Clint Ramsey doubled and scored on an Alex Gary single. However, the Keydets trimmed the lead back to two, 4-2, in the sixth. Andy Barden had a leadoff single and scored on an Annis double.
In the seventh, VMI sent the game to extra innings as Briggs started with a double to left. After a ground out and a strike out, Cage, who was pinch-hitting for Matt Smith, sent a 3-2 pitch over the left-field fence to tie the game at 4-4. Western had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but was unable to push across the winning run.
After both teams went scoreless in the eighth, Ben Rand had a leadoff walk to start the ninth, but was erased on a fielder's choice run down, which allowed Henry Lynch to advance to second. Barden walked and Erbe singled to right to load the bases. Lynch would score what proved the be the winning run on a wild pitch. VMI addeded with two insurance runs on a two-run single by Annis.
VMI relief pitcher Richard Litwin improved to 2-6 on the season, allowing just one hit with two strike outs in two innings. WCU relief pitcher Seth Foster fell to 6-3, giving up three hits, three runs and three walks in his two innings.
The Keydets were paced offensively by Barden and Annis, who each had two doubles. Annis finished the game 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while Barden was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Rand also added two hits for VMI. Western was led by Gary's 3-for-4 performance, while Roper and Minero added two hits.
Western Carolina will take the week off due to final exams, returning to action with a three-game set at East Tennessee State Friday-Sunday (May 10-12). VMI will also take the week off, hosting the College of Charleston for a three-game set this weekend.
